Glitter acrylic

[Sweatpea]

I'm beginning to play around with glitters and pigments How do you nail techs work on a full set of glitter/coloured acrylic extensions?

So far I have been mixing my glitter/pigment with clear powder and applying to the 3 zones as I would with just a natural application. I then cap with clear acrylic and buff to finish.

I've seen some techs apply a clear base of acrylic before applying the glitter so I'm not too sure how I should be doing it.

Help a newbie out here...!

xxx

 

[asteropi]

Sometimes pigments leave residue on the nail and in order to avoid this we use a clear base. Not to mention that if you want a colour design change you only need to buff it down, instead or removing it completely. So a clear base just saves you time on the removal process.
Either way works just fine, it's really up to you.

 

[Sweatpea]

Sometimes pigments leave residue on the nail and in order to avoid this we use a clear base. Not to mention that if you want a colour design change you only need to buff it down, instead or removing it completely. So a clear base just saves you time on the removal process.
Either way works just fine, it's really up to you.

I'm going to give the clear base a go this evening. Makes a lot more sense! Would i build this base thinly and begin at zone three working down towards the cuticle?

 

[asteropi]

Quite so, considering you are going to add a layer of pigment and another clear layer to cap, you don't want to make your first layer thick.
As for application, whatever works for you.
I had stayed off acrylics for quite some time and I'm back at school for a refresher course so I'm really not the person to advise on that!

 

[Sweatpea]

Im a newbie, I've been a nail enthusiast for years so I knew the basics but there's a lot to learn when it comes to nails. Im only doing my training. I've always got questions I'd like to ask, and asking fellow nail geeks seems like a great way to gain confidence but I find people can be very judgemental on here and it puts me off asking.

Thank you for your reply x

 

[Cindy2021]

Has your training covered acrylic application yet?

 

[Sweatpea]

Has your training covered acrylic application yet?

Yes but it doesn't go into depth regarding glitter and pigments.

 

[Cindy2021]

Yes but it doesn't go into depth regarding glitter and pigments.

I work mainly with acrylic and most sets have glitter. I put a very thin layer of clear underneath however as it will also need capped in clear after the glitter you need to work extremely thinly.
Some techs lift up a bead of clear and dip it in the glitter then apply. I struggle with this method for full coverage as it makes the nail too bulky so I always premix a small amount. I buy the disposable paper pots on eBay (like the McDonald's ketchup ones lol) if there's any left I stack them and keep as I'll use it again.

 

[Sweatpea]

I work mainly with acrylic and most sets have glitter. I put a very thin layer of clear underneath however as it will also need capped in clear after the glitter you need to work extremely thinly.
Some techs lift up a bead of clear and dip it in the glitter then apply. I struggle with this method for full coverage as it makes the nail too bulky so I always premix a small amount. I buy the disposable paper pots on eBay (like the McDonald's ketchup ones lol) if there's any left I stack them and keep as I'll use it again.

Ahhh disposable paper pots what a great idea, will definitely need to get some of those.

What ratio do you use for your glitters? I've been dipping the clear bead in the glitter so far but I am looking to experiment a bit til i find my comfort zone x

 

[Cindy2021]

Ahhh disposable paper pots what a great idea, will definitely need to get some of those.

What ratio do you use for your glitters? I've been dipping the clear bead in the glitter so far but I am looking to experiment a bit til i find my comfort zone x

I use 3:1. If I'm doing a glitter fade or over a coloured acrylic I'll just dip in and use a wetter bead